Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe is best known as the northernmost, and one of the four major wine growing appellations of the Médoc. The area is separated from Château Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac to the south by the Jalle de Breuil stream and its vineyards cover around 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) on the banks of the Garonne.

The layers of gravel on top of clay lead to comparatively poor drainage, and the harvest is one of the latest of the whole region, although this water retention can be of use in vintages of low rainfall.